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Chapter 9 – Simple Switches: Changing How We Do Things

to Protect Coastal Shorelines

Ensuring healthy shorelines, estuaries and coastal areas is essential for the future of salmon .
While this is a complex challenge that requires policies and stewardship on many levels, there

are steps we all can take each day to help .

In and Around Your Home: Consider
How You Clean
Many cleaners on the market use harsh chemicals
that are hazardous to you and the environment . Photo by: Daiga Ellaby on Unsplash
Since salmon and other aquatic species live in
water they are particularly sensitive to any pollution
that ends up in their home . Unfortunately, there
are cleaning products with persistent chemicals
(meaning they do not readily break down) that can
pass through septic and wastewater treatment and
pollute critical habitats . You can do your part to
minimize your impact by selecting products with
safer ingredients . • Ditch the anti-microbial/bacterial products:
These perform no better than normal soap and
Some simple changes you can make are: water and are often harmful (USFDA) . Triclosan,
• Choose products that have been reliably and a common antibacterial ingredient found in
independently assessed as safer: Companies soaps, detergents, cosmetics and toothpastes,
often adorn their products with claims and labels is believed to be an ‘endocrine (hormone)
that target eco-conscious consumers and it disrupter’ meaning it interferes with proper
can be hard to decipher what is ‘greenwashing’ growth and reproduction . It also hangs around
(weak or vague environmental claims) and in the environment only to breakdown into
what is truly a safe product . Be critical . Trustworthy other harmful chemicals (dioxins) (Weatherly
labels that appear on products in North America and Gosse 2017) . Even ‘natural’ anti-microbials
include the U .S . EPA ‘Safer Choice’ and the such as tea tree and lavender essential oils are
ECOLOGO certification . The ‘Safer Choice’ label suspected endocrine disrupters (Henley et al .
means the ingredients of the products that carry 2007) . Furthermore, unnecessary use of anti-
that seal have been examined by EPA scientists microbials leads to antibiotic resistance —
to ensure it is safer yet performs on par with which poses a significant health risk to everyone .
traditional formulas . The ECOLOGO certification • Opt for non-chlorine bleach if bleach is
label indicates a product has been independently needed: chlorine is a hazardous chemical and
verified to meet high environmental standards very toxic to aquatic life . As chlorine breaks
based on the product’s life cycle . down it can form dioxins and other harmful
chemicals, whereas hydrogen peroxide
(non-chlorine bleach) breaks down into
hydrogen and water .
• Use safe cleaning alternatives when possible:
A vinegar solution makes an effective glass and
non-porous surface cleaner, and baking soda
works as a non-abrasive scrub . Use chemical
free methods such as plungers and drain snakes
to clear plumbing clogs .

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